WELCOME. Pikes Peak Summit Complex Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting. August 25th, pm Colorado Springs, CO

Transcription

1 WELCOME Pikes Peak Summit Complex Environmental Assessment Scoping Meeting August 25th, pm Colorado Springs, CO

2 PROCESS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT Public Scoping August 21- September 21, 2015 WE ARE HERE Analysiss Fall 2015/Winter 2016 EA/Draft FONSI Spring 2016 EA Review/Objection Period Spring 2016 Final EA/Decision Fall 2016

3 WHAT IS MY ROLE? How To Participate: - Sign in and join the project mailing list in order to stay informed. - Visit each station and learn more about the project. - Provide your written scoping comments at this meeting, by mail or through the project website. - Stay informed by visiting: project/?project= The meeting and venue accommodate special needs and comply with ADA and 508 regulations. Please let us know if you need assistance. Purposes of Scoping: The comments received during scoping will be used to guide the EA analysis. - Introduce and describe the proposed project. - Describe the key milestones and opportunities for public involvement. - Identify issues for analysis in the EA. - Gain an understanding of the concerns and issues expressed by interested parties. - Outreach to identify key stakeholders and obtain their perspectives.

4 HOW TO COMMENT Send your written comments to: - By Mail to Pikes Peak Summit Complex Project C/O District Ranger Pikes Peak Ranger District 601 S. Weber Street Colorado Springs, CO By fax to By phone via Online at Public//CommentInput?Project=47229 Tips for making effective comments: - Be as specific as possible in your comments. - Remember we need your comments to frame the analysis for the EA. - Focus your comments on specific topics, issues, or other alternatives. Scoping comments must be received by September 21, 2015 in order to be considered in the analysis.

5 PROJECT OVERVIEW Design and construct new Summit Complex facilities: Restore disturbed sites to native tundra - Summit House Visitors Center - Plant Building - CSU s Communications Facility - U.S. Army s High-Altitude Research Laboratory (HARL) Remove the existing facilities Build new facilities adapted to the Pikes Peak summit environment Protect heritage resources Enhance visitor experiences Partners - City of Colorado Springs, Pikes Peak - America s Mountain - U.S. Army - Colorado Springs Utilities GREEN MOUNTAIN FALLS Pikes Peak Highway Pike National Forest TELLER EL PASO COLORADO SPRINGS Peak Summit ^Pikes Cog Railroad MANITOU SPRINGS Vicinity Map Miles

6 PURPOSE & NEED The Purpose of and Need for the Action is focused on improving the quality of the recreational experience and facilities on the summit of Pikes Peak. This project seeks to provide a visitor experience Mountain. The purpose of the proposed Pikes Peak Summit Complex includes: - Provide an enhanced visitor experience at America s Mountain, a National Historic Landmark. - Consolidate Summit Complex facilities to reduce building footprints. - Promote continuity of building design. - Restore areas previously disturbed and reduce future site impacts. - Replace existing buildings that were built without considering the environment or optimizing the visitor experience.

7 PURPOSE & NEED The need for authorizing a new Pikes Peak Summit Complex includes: - Improve and enhance summit interpretive elements of historical - techniques. - Incorporate the Forest Service Built Environment Image Guide principles and the unique site conditions into the solution. - Replace unsafe structures. - Provide the public and Summit Complex employees a safe and - Accommodate the needs of a variety of existing special events and groups. - Improve and enhance pedestrian and vehicle circulation and parking at the Summit Complex.

8 PIKES PEAK & PROJECT HISTORY First recorded ascent by Dr. Edwin James First structure built atop Pikes Peak Completion of the Pikes Peak Carriage Toll Road The Cog railway completed Current Summit House built U.S. Army research building constructed s- CSU Communication Facility built Pikes Peak Highway Master Plan completedrecommend implementing erosion and sediment control plan and replacement of the Summit House City of Colorado Springs implements the Drainage, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Pikes Peak Toll Road is completely paved. - April 16, 2014 Decision to prepare an EA

9 PROJECT MAP Pikes Peak Highway Cog Railroad Project Map Miles

10 Existing HARL (To be removed) Conceputal Pedestrian Path Pikes Peak Highway Existing CSU Facility (To be removed) Existing Summit House (To be removed) Original Summit House Foundation Eisting Plant and Mechanical Building (To be removed) Cog Railroad SUMMIT COMPLEX Building Site 1 Building Site Summit Complex Feet 13850

11 PROJECT ELEMENTS KEY ELEMENTS ALTERNATIVE 1 ALTERNATIVE 2 NO ACTION ALTERNATIVE Summit House (Visitor Center) Approximately 18,000 to 28,000 square feet within Building Site 1 TBD Remains as is at 12,000 square feet HARL Approximately 3,000 square feet colocated within Building Site 2 TBD Remains as is at 2,268 square feet Plant and Mechanical Building Approximately 3,000 to 5,500 square feet co-located within Building Site 2 TBD Remains as is at 12,000 square feet CSU Facility Approximately 160 square feet colocated within Building Site 2 TBD Remains as is at 850 square feet Removal of Existing Facilities All existing facilities would be removed All existing facilities would be removed All existing facilities remain Restoration Restore disturbed sites to native tundra Restore disturbed sites to native tundra None Events Continuation of existing events e.g. Hill Climb, The Ascent and Marathon, Fireworks Same Same Design Guidance Facility design will consider the Forest Service s Built Environment Image Guide Same N/A Pedestrian Circulation Enhanced outdoor experience that is ADA compliant and protects tundra ecosystem TBD None Pikes Peak Cog Railway Remains in current location Railway realigned, based on engineering feasibility Remains in current location Staging Areas Construction Activity (Planned to occur over multiple construction seasons) Several temporary staging areas will be required which could include, for example; Ski Area, Cove Pit and Devil's Playground Construction activities may require temporary closure of Pikes Peak Highway and limitations on use of some parking areas. Same TBD N\A N\A

12 ALTERNATIVES? Are there other alternatives that should be considered e.g. other site

13 ISSUES analysis than those that are considered minor or secondary. Using the space below, please note issues that should be considered in the EA. For example issues that might be analyzed include; visibility from key view points, sensitive species, access to the summit during construction, or impacts to cultural resources.

14 QUESTIONS Using the space below, please note any questions that you have regarding the proposed project. Answers to frequently asked questions will be posted on the project website.

15 WHO MAKES THE DECISIONS? Responsible Official: San Isabel National Forests and Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands. Nature of the Decision to be Made: proposed action or other action alternative that may be developed by the Forest Service as a result of scoping.